How to Remove a Lost Excel Password

1. Open Excel and then the workbook file for which you wish to remove the password. If you are using Excel 2007 skip straight to Step 5; for all previous versions continue on to Step 2 below.
2. Click on the 'Tools' menu at the top of the Excel window. Select 'General Options' from the drop down list of choices that appear.
3. Locate the box labeled 'In the Password to open' and double-click on the asterisk in it. Click 'Delete', and click 'OK.' Repeat the process for the box labeled 'Password to modify.'
4. Click 'Save', and then 'Yes' to complete the removal of the password in versions prior to Excel 2007.
5. Click on the 'Review' tab at the top of the Excel screen in Excel 2007. Click on 'Protect Worksheet' and remove the check mark from the check box labeled 'Protect worksheet and contents of locked cells'. Click 'OK'.
6. Click on 'Protect Workbook,' delete the password in the password text box, and click 'OK' to finish the job.